The new Lenovo Slim 7i Carbon is well suited for the hybrid world of telecommuting that many of us now live in.

The laptop features a 13.3" 2.5K display with a 90Hz refresh rate. While thin and lightweight, the 12th generation Intel Core CPU and more than 32GB of RAM should be powerful enough to handle most of your daily tasks. And up to 1TB of storage means you can store as many files and documents as you need without worrying about running out of space.

I recently got to touch the Lenovo Slim 7i Carbon in person. It wasn't spacious, but the time I spent with this laptop gave me a glimpse of what it could offer as a hybrid work machine. If Lenovo is as good as they claim, it might just make our best laptops list. Here are my initial impressions.

The Lenovo Slim 7i Carbon starts at $1,299 and will ship in June. It will be available in several configurations, including models with Intel Core i5 or i7 processors, up to 32GB of LPDDR5 memory, and 1TB of SSD storage.

The Slim 7i Carbon will feature a clamshell enclosure and start at 2.13 lbs. Measuring 11.65 x 8.22 x 0.58 inches, it is thin and unremarkable. I tested the Storm Gray finish model, but Moon White and Cloud Gray are also available.

In recent years, ultra-thin work laptops have become ubiquitous. The Slim 7i Carbon is not unique in that regard, but it is still very stylish and attractive. It's a laptop that would look right at home on your desk at work or in your favorite coffee shop. Personally, I can't get enough of thin laptops, so Lenovo's Slim line is right up my alley.

The 13.3-inch 2.5K (2,560 x 1,600) screen should provide a seamless work experience with its 16:10 aspect ratio and 90 Hz refresh rate. The higher refresh rate makes scrolling through web pages and documents feel a bit smoother, and the aspect ratio gives you more space to view them. The configuration I saw has a touch interface, which should further enhance productivity.

Lenovo claims that this screen can reach up to 400 nits of brightness; Tom's Guide would need to do a laptop brightness test to confirm this, but from my observations, the screen seems bright enough. The screen is also advertised as being able to achieve 100% of the sRGB color gamut. Colors looked vibrant to me, but formal testing will determine how much color space the display can actually achieve.

The laptop's ten-keyless keyboard should have enough space for most people to type comfortably. I say "most" because those of us with large hands don't always have a good experience with laptop keyboards. However, the Slim 7i Carbon's keyboard is not smaller than other laptop keyboards, so it should be adequate.

The keys feel reasonably clicky and responsive. The touchpad is also smooth and easy to operate. Extensive hands-on time is needed to give a verdict on both the touchpad and keyboard, but they appear to be on par with those found on modern laptops.

As the name suggests, the Slim 7i Carbon is slim in both design and ports, with only a USB-C port and a USB4/Thunderbolt 4 port. If one wishes to connect other devices to the laptop, one must use the built-in Bluetooth connection or use a USB-C adapter.

Personally, I would have liked one or two more ports, but for most people and for those who are constantly on the move, two USB-C ports should be sufficient.

All configurations come with a 12th generation Intel Core CPU and Intel Xe integrated graphics; you can choose either an i5 or i7 processor and upgrade to 32GB or more RAM and 1TB of SSD storage.

Further testing is needed to see how this laptop stacks up against similar devices, but under the hood, the Slim 7i Carbon should be powerful and capable enough for normal work (especially with the i7 CPU configuration).

The Slim 7i Carbon is powered by a 50 Whr battery. According to Lenovo, it can run 1080p video playback for up to 13.5 hours. The company also claims that the battery can be charged for 15 minutes in standby mode or powered off and get up to 3 hours of battery life using the laptop's Fast Charge Express feature (which other Lenovo laptops also share).

We'll have to wait to see how long the Slim 7i Carbon's battery lasts until we try it out.

The Lenovo Slim 7i Carbon seems like an ideal choice for those seeking a reliable hybrid work computer. It is small, lightweight, and powerful enough to handle everyday tasks. On top of that, it is a frugal device that fits nicely into most work (and non-work) environments. Based on my limited hands-on experience, this should be a solid machine for the modern worker.

I'll give the Lenovo Slim 7i Carbon a full try when it becomes available in June.